Absurd Machine Fun to be had at Chapel Hill

Today is the day the Flurioessence is opening!!! I am so excited to be exhibiting with some of the best  artists I have had the pleasure of meeting.  Brian O'Malley, Louise Vadasz, Craig Bowyer and Peter Stentiford are all South Australian artists exploring the beauty of our Fleurieu Peninsula, here in beautiful South Australia.

I have been tantalising folks on facebook with the notion of the function of the absurd machines and urging people to come and have a look at the exhibition opening today to find out.  The hint lies in my philosophical function for jewellery design and design for the planet, when you look at the end result, I ask you,  is it all absurd?

Flurioessence is being opened at 2pm today by Stephanie Johnson at Chapel Hill Winery, 1 Chapel Hill Road McLaren Vale.

Machines of Absurdity

What do they do these machines of absurdity??? What makes them so absurd? Are they really a machine or a concept? Hmmmmmm

Absurd machines

They spin, they turn, they enrapture but what do they really do?

The absurd machines have arrived at Chapel Hill Winery!!! I'm so happy to be part of the wonderful 'Flurioessence' Exhibition opening on Sunday the 22nd of July at 2pm. I'm exhibiting with Brian O'Malley, Louise Vadasz, Peter Stentiford and Craig Bowyer.  The exhibition is being opened by the enigmatic Stephanie Johnson, arts writer and publisher.  Come and find out the secrets behind the 'absurd machines', it may enthrall you... 

One lid a month project is gaining multi-level momentum

Here is the latest from the Midnight Blue lid series, introducing 'STARKISS'. Have you ever had a kiss where it was beyond physical?  It felt like you were drinking in the stars and they became a part of you and you them?  That is what 'STARKISS' is all about.  STARKISS and Midnight Kiss Midnight Eclipse both featured at the last Willunga artisan market and recieved great critical acclaim, evoking notions of whirling midnight whimsy in the arms of a delectable lover, how exciting it is for me to create works that encourage such deliciousness :)

I am very excited to have created these two works so far from this month's Midnight Blue saucepan lid.  I have pushed my design boundaries in terms of aesthetic and technique, and I am really feeling the momentum of this project kicking into gear.  There are officially two days to go to completely use all of the material from Midnight Blue, all kinds if quirky ideas are coming to mind :). The entire collection for this lid will be featured in a mystery gallery in Australia within the next two weeks. So stay tuned and see what romantic whimsies take my fancy :)

Midnight Kiss Midnight Eclipse

Fresh from the 'One lid a month' project is my new star, 

'Midnight Kiss, Midnight Eclipse'

 She's been lovingly crafted from the glorious Midnight Blue saucepan lid I chose three weeks ago, I've got half of it left and six days to use all of its material being in the form of new jewellery.  

The designs for this months range are based upon the notion of 'Midnight Blue', what does it mean? Also with Valentines day encroaching I saw this as a wonderful opportunity to think about romance, and how midnight blue can be incorporated into the concept of romance.

For these works I have largely drawn upon the movement of Art Nouveau, dancing, the moon, the stars and explosions of delight!!  I have also chosen to explore some new techniques and push the boundaries of old techniques, I am excited about creating more three dimensional works, and this piece is my first stepping stone down that path. 

With six days and half a lid to go, wish me luck folks :)

One big massive saucepan lid installation mountain

So, I've managed to save over 400 saucepan lids, cake tins, jelly moulds, kettles and cups all made from anodised or powder coated alluminium!! As a result of this collecting mania I am introducing a fabulous new challenge for myself.  I must use one saucepan lid per month, using the entire lid.  Thats all the metal, the plastic handle and the screw or rivet holding the handle.  The lid will be completely upcycled into works of jewellery which can be dismantled if need be, so the raw material can be recycled when the jewellery reaches the end of its life.  It's a big challenge, some have said I will be at this for many many years, well so be it!!! I love these pieces of treasure that normally end up in the dump.  I feel a tremendous sense of honour in breathing new life into such stunning gems.


Folks, the lid I have chosen this month is a lovely "Midnight Blue" number.  She's a powder coated lid, fairly modern I believe, with lovely flecks of glitter as you might see on a metallic car duco. At this stage the works are taking on a decidedly Art Nouveau feel.  The works and the process behind creating the works will be on show at the Willunga Artisan Market on the 11th of February, so if you are in the area, pop by to have a sqizz:)